Llanelli 13-16 Pontypool WITH just a few minutes of normal time left on the clock, Gavin Quinnell powered his way over for a Llanelli try that both his older brothers would have been proud to have called their own.

But it was the Pontypool rolling maul that won this closely contested match at Stradey Park. Skipper Cae Trayhern came up with the ball and Pooler were home for a victory that could be of great importance when relegation becomes the issue at the season's end.

Nathan Budgett, of Celtic Warriors, had been brought into the Pontypool second row to boss the lineout.

The home side called upon youngsters from local West Wales clubs and Gareth King (Carmarthen Quins) at full-back and Mark Jones (Llangennech) worked hard to show some excellent touches.

Another Quins import, prop Mark O'Kelly, nearly scored the try of the game after a fine forward movement.

There was a 10-minute delay during the second half when Llanelli's Jonny Lewis was stretchered off.

The visitors were a man short for the last 10 minutes with Dean Gibbs in the sin-bin after persistent offending, but Llanelli were unable to take advantage.

"We should have stuck to our game plan and spread the ball wide," commented Llanelli coach Kevin Williams.